Atlanta Airport Reopens after Massive Power Outage

This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For more information check out our Advertising Disclosure.

Power was restored at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) around midnight Monday morning, after almost 12 hours without power. Many planes that landed around noon Sunday were stranded on the tarmac for around seven hours before passengers were able to deboard. Passengers were stuck in the airport without power or light for a majority of the day. Once power was restored, over 5,000 meals were delivered to passengers. It’s important to note that ATL is the busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic.

Georgia Power, the company responsible for providing ATL’s power, stated that the outage was the result an underground fire which damaged the main power supply as well as redundant backup circuits. While the fire was extinguished quickly, the damage took hours to assess and repair.

Delta, which is based out of Atlanta, announced that over 300 flights would be canceled on Monday as the airport struggled to get operations back on track. Delta issued several announcements for Monday travel through ATL:

Arrive early due to the large volume of customers at the airport and reprint boarding passes before going through security checkpoints. As of 7 a.m., airport trains were not yet operational.

Delta is working to re-accommodate customers. Those who need booking assistance are encouraged to go to the Fly Delta app or delta.com to check flight status before leaving for the airport.

Delta customers flying to, from or through Atlanta can make a one-time change to their travel plans.

Delta has temporarily embargoed travel for unaccompanied minors Monday due to the power outage. Unaccompanied minors who already began their travel Sunday may continue.

Customers with checked luggage ending their travel in Atlanta can file a claim with a Baggage Service agent in the Atlanta Airport or via delta.com. Bags will be delivered to the address provided in the claim. Due to congestion, customers are encouraged not to pick up their bags at the Atlanta Airport Monday.

Bottom Line

Passengers flying through ATL have experienced two weeks of ugly delays and cancellations. I was delayed in Atlanta a little over a week ago during their recent winter storm. That weather caused over 1,000 cancellations. Only a week later, this power outage again wreaked havoc on Delta’s operations with cancellations on Sunday and 300 more on Monday. Let’s hope passengers through ATL can safely coast through the rest of 2017 without any other massive headaches.